It wasn’t so much that they were bad kids, far from it (they were generally polite and particularly well groomed) but their table-manners were completely atrocious.
When they did manage to sit together for dinner (and this was a rare occurrence in itself) there would be constant squabbling, complaints about the menu, the consistency, the portion sizes, the wrong sort of ketchup.
Every mealtime was exactly the same.
There would be name-calling, kicking, flicking and biting (though never, it is worth pointing out, of the lovingly prepared food).
At 23 and 31 you would think they’d know better.
This flash fiction/short story, call it what you will, was written for Friday Fictioneers.
Thanks to Ted Strutz for the photographic inspiration, and to Rochelle as ever for hosting. Click here to read this week’s stories.
me.you.coffee 
28 responses to “The brothers – grim”
Get last line. I’m still chuckling!
Thanks!
I put it down to them still living with their parents
I thought you had been describing dinner time at my house there – don’t tell me there’s another twenty years of this to go!!
I enjoyed both reading and listening. Particularly the listening. Well done.
Thanks Sandra, I’m hoping to get my recording mic back out at some point to make these sound a little nicer. But as with everything at the moment, I’m making do! Thanks for reading/listening.
Dear Peter,
My own sons came to mind all through this. The last line made me laugh out loud. I loved listening to it.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Hah, this was great. I imagined my brother while reading this. Thank you for this piece!
Thanks for the kind words!
It seems that some kids never learn. I enjoyed reading this then listening to the recording. Lovely
Some kids never grow up – and don’t I know it!
Here’s mine!
Funny, Binks. Made me laugh out loud.
Also, good to see you, too! I’m sure the coffee is great today. 😉
Always good to make somebody laugh! Thanks for reading.
Guess they never get up!
So it doesn’t get any easier then!? Good stuff, reminds me of my 16 and 11 year olds.
You’ve got a wonderful voice, Peter.
And oh hell no! That last line was a killer!
What a kind thing to say. Thanks for listening/reading.
I speak in truths, kind sir! I enjoyed both immensely.
You got me with that last line! And I liked your use of brackets for “(they were generally polite and particularly well groomed)” – it gives the sensation of a different voice, or a different angle on the scene.
Glad you liked it. Thanks for reading.
ha ha .All that otherwise well behaved side of them should have worn off by now onto their table manners
Well, they are either immature — or chimpanzees.
Probably a bit of both!
🙂
Poor parent! I feel sorry for him / her. Maybe it’s time to stop cooking for them 🙂
Very true!
Hilarious! Someone needs some corner time 🙂
love the last line… I know people like that…